May 11, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – Where Is Your Treasure?

Where Is Your Treasure?

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
    This too is meaningless.

¹¹ As goods increase,
    so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
    except to feast their eyes on them?

¹² The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep.

¹³ I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
¹⁴     or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
    there is nothing left for them to inherit.
¹⁵ Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
    that they can carry in their hands.

¹⁶ This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,
    and what do they gain,
    since they toil for the wind?
¹⁷ All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Who never has enough money (verse 10)?

What happens when “goods increase” (verse 11)?

What does the abundance of the rich not permit (verse 12)?

What “grievous evil under the sun” had Solomon seen (verse 13)?

How much of what they toiled for can the departed take (verse 15)?

How do people depart (verse 16)?

What has Solomon “observed to be good” (verse 18)?

What is a “gift of God” (verse 19)?

Why do people who receive this gift “seldom reflect on the days of their life” (verse 20)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the treasures we pursue?

Matthew 6:16-24 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Why do hypocrites “disfigure their faces” (verse 16)?

Who “sees what is done in secret” (verse 18)?

What happens to treasures stored “on earth” (verse 19)?

Where should we store treasures (verse 20)?

Where is “your heart” (verse 21)?

When will “your whole body . . . be full of light” (verse 22)?

What happens when “your eyes are unhealthy” (verse 23)?

Who “can serve two masters” (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the treasures we pursue?

In your opinion, how does the fragileness of the earthly treasures in Matthew 6:16-24 reinforce the meaningless of wealth in Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 and highlight the value of heavenly treasures?

1 Timothy 6:3-10 - New International Version (NIV)

³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

What are people who do “not agree the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching” like (verses 3 and 4)?

What do people “who have been robbed of the truth” think about godliness (verse 5)?

What is “godliness with contentment” (verse 6)?

What can we take from the world (verse 7)?

What does Paul say they “will be content with” (verse 8)?

Who falls “into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires” (verse 9)?

What is “a root of all kinds of evil” (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the treasures we pursue?

In your opinion, how is Ecclesiastes 5:10-20’s discussion of the meaninglessness of money and wealth reflected in 1 Timothy 6:3-10 contrast of love of money versus godliness?

In your opinion, how does 1 Timothy 6:3-10 help us understand Jesus’s statement in Matthew 6:16-24 that “no one can serve two masters”?

Titus 3:3-8 - New International Version (NIV)

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

In your opinion, who was “foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures” (verse 3)?

What appeared (verse 4)?

Why did “God our Savior” save us (verse 5)?

How did “God our Savior” save us (verse 5)?

Who was “poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” (verses 5 and 6)?

What do the heirs have hope of (verse 7)?

Who should “devote themselves to doing what is good” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the treasures we pursue?

In your opinion, what does Titus 3:3-8 reveal about how God saves us from the grievous evil of Ecclesiastes 5:10-20?

In your opinion, what does Titus 3:3-8 convey about the two masters that Jesus talked about in Matthew 6:16-24?

In your opinion, how does Titus 3:3-8 help us understand how we move from unhealthy interests to the “godliness with contentment” found in 1 Timothy 6:3-10?

In your opinion, what do these Scriptures from Ecclesiastes, Matthew, 1 Timothy and Titus teach us about what it means to be devoted to wealth?

In your opinion, how can we devote ourselves serving God today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

May 4, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – A Model of Hope

A Model of Hope

Daniel 9:4-19 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

⁷ “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. ⁸ We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; ¹⁰ we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. ¹² You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. ¹³ Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. ¹⁴ The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

¹⁵ “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

How did Daniel describe God (verse 4)?

What did Daniel say they had “turned away from” (verse 5)?

Who had not listened to the prophets (verse 6)?

Where were the people who were covered with shame (verse 7)?

Why were they covered with shame (verse 8)?

How did Daniel describe God, “even though we have rebelled against him” (verse 9)?

Why have “the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God” been poured out (verse 11)?

What had the people not done even though “all this disaster has come on us” (verse 13)?

What is the Lord “in everything he does” (verse 14)?

What does Daniel say the “Lord our God” has done (verse 15)?

What does Daniel ask the Lord to do “in keeping with all your righteous acts” (verse 16)?

How does Daniel ask the Lord to look on “your desolate sanctuary” (verse 17)?

Why is Daniel able to “make requests” (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is hope in God displayed in this passage?

Matthew 6:5-15 - New International Version (NIV)

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

What have hypocrites praying in public places already received (verse 5)?

Who will reward “what is done in secret” (verse 6)?

Who thinks “they will be heard because of their many words” (verse 7)?

What does our Father know (verse 8)?

Where is “our Father” (verse 9)?

What do we ask to “come” (verse 10)?

What do we ask for “today” (verse 11)?

Who have we forgiven (verse 12)?

How do we want our Father to help us with the “evil one” (verse 13)?

When will our “heavenly Father” forgive us (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is hope in God displayed in this passage?

In your opinion, how does the prayer of Daniel 9:4-19 compare to the model prayer that Jesus provides in Matthew 6:5-15?

James 1:12-18 - New International Version (NIV)

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

What will the “one who perseveres under trial” receive (verse 12)?

Who does God tempt (verse 13)?

How is “each person” tempted (verse 14)?

What is the genealogy of death (verse 15)?

Where is “ever good and perfect gift” from (verse 17)?

How does God give Christians birth (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is hope in God displayed in this passage?

In your opinion, how does Daniel 9:4-19 introduce the concept later found in James 5:13-20 that God does not tempt anyone?

In your opinion, why when James 5:13-20 teaches that God does not lead us into temptation, does Jesus’s model prayer say “lead us not into temptation” in Matthew 6:5-15?

Jude 1:17-25 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” ¹⁹ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

What did “the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” foretell (verses 17 and 18)?

What do these people follow (verse 19)?

How do Christians keep themselves “in God’s love” (verses 20 and 21)?

Who should we “be merciful” to (verse 22)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “show mercy, mixed with fear” (verse 23)?

Who can keep us “from stumbling” and present us “before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (verses 24 and 25)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is hope in God displayed in this passage?

In your opinion, when you compare what Daniel confesses about Israel and Judah in Daniel 9:4-19 with what Jude 1:17-25 anticipates for the “last times” what surprises you the most?

In your opinion, how is the model prayer of Jesus in Matthew 6:5-15 perfect for the challenges that Jude 1:17-25 anticipates?

In your opinion, despite the fears created by the intimidating challenges outlined in James 5:13-20 and Jude 1:17-25 how does Jude offer us hope?

In your opinion, what do these Scriptures from Daniel, Matthew, James and Jude teach us about our separation from God?

In your opinion, how is the simple prayer that Jesus models a source of hope in our relationship with God?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)